Ultrasound apparatus and information providing method of the ultrasound apparatus

ABSTRACT

An information providing method which is implementable by using an ultrasound apparatus includes obtaining ultrasound image data which relates to an object; displaying, on a first area of a screen, a gain setup window for setting a gain of the obtained ultrasound image data; receiving a gain which is set by a user on the gain setup window; and displaying, on a second area of the screen, an ultrasound image of the object to which the set gain is applied.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/035,589 filed Sep. 24,2013, which claims priority from Korean Patent Application No.10-2012-0105959, filed on Sep. 24, 2012, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, and priority from Korean Patent Application No.10-2013-0026809, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference in their respective entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Exemplary embodiments relate to an ultrasound apparatus for providing again setup window for setting a gain or a list of one or more presetgains, and an information providing method which is implementable byusing the ultrasound apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus obtains an image of soft tissues orblood flow by transmitting an ultrasound signal from a body surface ofan object toward a predetermined site inside the body, and receiving anultrasound signal reflected from tissues in the body.

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is small, is inexpensive, and allowsreal time display. Further, because it does not cause an exposure toradiation and thus is safe, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus isbroadly used together with other imaging diagnosis apparatuses, such asan X-ray diagnostic apparatus, a computerized tomography (CT) scanner, amagnetic resonance image (MRI) apparatus, and a nuclear medicinediagnostic apparatus.

In general, an ultrasonic beam that propagates through tissues isreduced in amplitude or intensity as a function of a transmissiondistance. Attenuation occurs in a form that the amplitude reducesgreatly if the transmission distance is large. Due to the attenuation,the intensity of a received echo ultrasound signal may not be uniform.In particular, an ultrasound image which is based on the echo ultrasoundsignal may not have a uniform brightness or may partially have a poorquality. Accordingly, a system for allowing a user to easily compensatethe sensitivity of an ultrasound image is required.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments provide an ultrasound apparatus for providing on atouchscreen a user interface for adjusting a gain and a list of one ormore gains previously set by a user, and an information providing methodwhich is implementable by using the ultrasound apparatus.

Exemplary embodiments also provide an ultrasound apparatus for applyingto ultrasound image data a preset gain which corresponds toidentification information which relates to a probe connected to theultrasound apparatus, and an information providing method which isimplementable by using the ultrasound apparatus.

According to an aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, there isprovided an information providing method which is executable by using anultrasound apparatus, the method including obtaining ultrasound imagedata which relates to an object; displaying, on a first area of ascreen, a gain setup window which relates to setting a gain with respectto the obtained ultrasound image data; receiving a gain which is set bya user on the gain setup window; and displaying, on a second area of thescreen, an ultrasound image of the object to which the set gain isapplied.

The gain may include at least one from among a time gain compensation(TGC) value and a lateral gain compensation (LGC) value.

The screen may include a touch screen.

The method may further include displaying an initial gain based on adepth of the object, on the gain setup window; and displaying, on thesecond area of the screen, an ultrasound image to which the initial gainis applicable.

The method may further include displaying at least one slide bar whichrelates to setting a gain, on the gain setup window.

The method may further include aligning and displaying the at least oneslide bar along a depth direction of the ultrasound image.

The method may further include sensing a touch input of the user on theat least one slide bar; and extracting a gain which corresponds to aposition of the sensed touch input.

The method may further include sensing a drag input of the user which isprovided in a direction which is perpendicular to the at least one slidebar on the gain setup window; and extracting a gain which corresponds toa depth of the ultrasound image based on a position of the drag input.

The method may further include moving and displaying an adjustmentbutton on the at least one slide bar based on the extracted gain.

The method may further include obtaining a gain line which correspondsto the gain which is set on the gain setup window; and displaying theobtained gain line on the second area of the screen.

The method may further include displaying a list of at least one presetgain on a third area of the screen.

The method may further include receiving a selection of one preset gainfrom among the at least one preset gain included in the displayed list;displaying the selected preset gain on the gain setup window; anddisplaying, on the second area of the screen, an ultrasound image towhich the selected preset gain is applicable.

The method may further include receiving an additional setup from theuser in relation to the selected preset gain.

The method may further include storing the gain which is set on the gainsetup window based on a user input; and displaying an image of thestored gain on the third area of the screen.

The method may further include further displaying at least one fromamong a body marker, application information, and probe setupinformation on the displayed list.

The method may further include storing, in an external storage medium,the gain which is set on the gain setup window.

The method may further include mapping and storing the gain which is seton the gain setup window and at least one parameter which relates to theultrasound image.

The parameter may include at least one from among a frequency, a dynamicrange, a frame average, a reject level, a gray map, a spatial compound,a dynamic magnetic resonance (DMR+), a harmonic, a scan area, an edgeenhance, a speed, a power, a line density, a full spectrum image (FSI),a focus number, and a depth.

The method may further include transmitting the gain which is set on thegain setup window to an external apparatus via at least one from among awired communication and a wireless communication.

According to another aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, thereis provided an ultrasound apparatus which includes: an obtaining unitwhich is configured to obtain ultrasound image data which relates to anobject; a display unit which is configured to display, on a first areaof a screen, a gain setup window which relates to setting a gain withrespect to the obtained ultrasound image data, and to display anultrasound image of the object on a second area of the screen; a userinput unit which is configured to receive a gain which is set by a useron the gain setup window; an image processor which is configured togenerate the ultrasound image to be displayed on the second area of thescreen by applying, to the ultrasound image data, the gain which is seton the gain setup window; and a controller which is configured tocontrol the obtaining unit, the display unit, the user input unit, andthe image processor.

The display unit of the ultrasound apparatus may be further configuredto display at least one slide bar which relates to setting a gain, onthe gain setup window.

The controller of the ultrasound apparatus may be further configured tocontrol the display unit to obtain a gain line which corresponds to thegain which is set on the gain setup window and to display the obtainedgain line on the second area of the screen.

The display unit of the ultrasound apparatus may be further configuredto display a list of at least one preset gain on a third area of thescreen.

The ultrasound apparatus may further include a memory which isconfigured to store the gain which is set on the gain setup window.

According to another aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, thereis provided an information providing method which is implementable byusing an ultrasound apparatus, the method including displaying a list ofpreset gains on a screen; receiving a selection of one preset gain fromamong the preset gains included in the displayed list; and applying theselected preset gain to ultrasound image data which relates to anobject.

According to another aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, thereis provided an information providing method which is executable by usingan ultrasound apparatus, the method including obtaining ultrasound imagedata which relates to an object; displaying, on a first area of ascreen, a gain setup window which relates to setting a gain with respectto the obtained ultrasound image data; displaying an ultrasound image ofthe object on a second area of the screen based on the obtainedultrasound image data; and displaying a list of preset gains on a thirdarea of the screen.

The method may further include obtaining the list of the preset gainsfrom an external storage medium.

The method may further include receiving a selection of one preset gainfrom among the preset gains included in the displayed list; displayingthe selected preset gain on the gain setup window; and displaying, onthe second area of the screen, an ultrasound image to which the selectedpreset gain is applicable. The method may further include receiving anadditional setup from a user in relation to the preset gain which isdisplayed on the gain setup window.

The method may further include storing the additionally set gain.

The method may further include storing the additionally set gain in theexternal storage medium.

The method may further include displaying at least one parameter whichis mapped to the selected preset gain, and the parameter may include apreset value which relates to the ultrasound image.

The method may further include determining at least one parameter whichis mapped to the selected preset gain; and applying the determined atleast one parameter to a system of the ultrasound apparatus.

The method may further include displaying at least one from among a listof gray maps which list relates to determining a gray scale and a listof curves which list relates to selecting a predetermined area of3-dimensional (3D) volume data, on a fourth area of the screen.

According to another aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, thereis provided an information providing method which is executable by usingan ultrasound apparatus, the method including determining identificationinformation which relates to a probe which is connected to theultrasound apparatus; extracting a preset gain which corresponds to thedetermined identification information which relates to the probe; andapplying the extracted preset gain to ultrasound image data.

The method may further include displaying a probe list which includesidentification information which relates to at least one probe which isconnected to the ultrasound apparatus; receiving a selection of oneprobe from among the at least one probe for which a correspondingidentification information is included in the displayed probe list; andapplying, to the ultrasound image data, a preset gain which correspondsto the identification information which corresponds to the selectedprobe.

The method may further include extracting a plurality of preset gainswhich respectively correspond to the determined identificationinformation which relates to the probe; displaying a list of theextracted plurality of the preset gains; and receiving a selection ofone preset gain from among the plurality of the preset gains which aredisplayed on the list.

The method may further include receiving application information whichrepresents a diagnosis department; and extracting a preset gain whichcorresponds to both of the determined identification information whichrelates to the probe and the received application information.

The method may further include displaying the extracted preset gain on apredetermined area of a screen.

The method may further include receiving an additional setup from a userin relation to the displayed preset gain.

The method may further include displaying, on a screen, a gain setupwindow which relates to setting a gain with respect to ultrasound imagedata; receiving a gain which is set by a user on the gain setup window;and mapping and storing the set gain and the determined identificationinformation which relates to the probe.

The method may further include displaying, on a screen, a gain setupwindow which relates to setting a gain with respect to ultrasound imagedata; receiving a gain which is set by a user on the gain setup window;and mapping and storing the set gain, the determined identificationinformation which relates to the probe, and application informationwhich represents a diagnosis department.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present inventiveconcept will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplaryembodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are diagrams which illustrate an ultrasoundapparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart which illustrates an information providing methodwhich is executable by using an ultrasound apparatus, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an image of a time gain compensation (TGC) setup screen of anultrasound apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an image of a gain setup window for setting a gain, accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are images which illustrate respective screenswhich relate to receiving a gain from a user, according to exemplaryembodiments;

FIG. 6 is an image which illustrates a gain line which corresponds togains, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an image which illustrates a list of preset gains, accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart which illustrates a gain storing method which isexecutable by using an ultrasound apparatus, according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are images which illustrate a graphic userinterface (GUI) for storing a gain, according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 10 is an image which illustrates a gain setup window for setting alateral gain compensation (LGC) value, according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart which illustrates an information providing methodwhich is executable by using an ultrasound apparatus, according toanother exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart which illustrates an information providing methodwhich is executable by using an ultrasound apparatus, according toanother exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a table which includes setup parameters which relate to anultrasound image, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are images which illustrate a GUI for settingparameters which relate to an ultrasound image, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D are images which illustrate a GUI forstoring at least one preset parameter, according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart which illustrates an information providing methodwhich is executable by using an ultrasound apparatus and which method isbased on identification information which relates to a probe, accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 17A, 17B, 18A, and 18B are images which show a parameter and again which correspond to a user preset which is selected by a user,according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 19A and 19B are images which show a list of preset gray maps,according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIGS. 20A and 20B are images which show a list of preset curves,according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

All terms including descriptive or technical terms which are used hereinshould be construed as having meanings that are obvious to one ofordinary skill in the art. However, the terms may have differentmeanings according to an intention of one of ordinary skill in the art,precedent cases, or the appearance of new technologies. In addition,some terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in thiscase, the meaning of the selected terms will be described in detail inthe detailed description. Thus, the terms used herein should be definedbased on the meaning of the terms together with the descriptionthroughout the specification.

Further, when a part “includes” or “comprises” an element, unless thereis a particular description contrary thereto, the part can furtherinclude other elements, not excluding the other elements. In thefollowing description, terms such as “unit” and “module” indicate a unitfor processing at least one function or operation, wherein the unit andthe block may be embodied as hardware or software or embodied bycombining hardware and software.

Throughout the specification, “an ultrasound image” refers to an imagewhich is obtained from an object by using ultrasonic waves. The objectmay refer to a part of the body. For example, the object may include anorgan such as any one or more of a liver, a heart, a uterus, a brain, abreast, or an abdomen, or a fetus.

The ultrasound image may be obtained via any one or more of variousmodalities. For example, the ultrasound image may include at least oneof a brightness mode (B mode) image, a color mode (C mode) image, and aDoppler mode (D mode) image. Further, according to an exemplaryembodiment, the ultrasound image may include a 2-dimensional (2D) imageor a 3-dimensional (3D) image.

Throughout the specification, “a user” may be, but is not limited to, amedical expert such as a doctor, a nurse, a medical technologist, or amedical imaging specialist.

Hereinafter, the present inventive concept will be described in detailby explaining exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to theattached drawings. The present inventive concept may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as beinglimited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseexemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough and complete, and will fully convey the present inventiveconcept to one of ordinary skill in the art. In the drawings, thethicknesses of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity, and likereference numerals denote like elements.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “atleast one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire listof elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are diagrams which illustrate an ultrasoundapparatus 100, according to an exemplary embodiment.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 refers to a device for obtaining anultrasound image data from an object by using ultrasonic waves andproviding, to a user, a graphic user interface (GUI) for setting a gainof the ultrasound image data.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may be formed in various forms. Forexample, the ultrasound apparatus 100 described in this specificationmay be formed as a mobile device and/or as a stationary device. Examplesof the mobile device which may be used for such an ultrasound apparatus100 include a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and atablet personal computer (PC).

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may include anobtaining unit 110, a display unit 120 (also referred to herein as adisplay 120), a user input unit 130, an image processing unit 140 (alsoreferred to herein as an image processor 140), and a control unit 150(also referred to herein as a controller 150). However, not all of theelements illustrated in FIG. 1A are essential. The ultrasound apparatus100 may include the illustrated elements and other elements, or mayinclude only some of the illustrated elements.

The elements of the ultrasound apparatus 100 will now be describedindividually, i.e., on a one-by-one basis.

The obtaining unit 110 may obtain ultrasound image data which relates toan object. The ultrasound image data may include 2-dimensional (2D)ultrasound image data or 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound image data whichrelates to the object.

The obtaining unit 110 may include a probe (not shown) which isconfigured for transmitting and receiving an ultrasound signal, and abeam former (not shown) which is configured for focusing the transmittedor received ultrasound signal.

The probe may include at least one of a 1-dimensional (1D) probe, a1.5-dimensional (1.5D) probe, a 2D (matrix) probe, and a 3D probe.

The display unit 120 may display information which is processed by theultrasound apparatus 100. For example, the display unit 120 may displaythe ultrasound image of the object on a screen, or may display a userinterface (UI) and/or a GUI which is related to a function setup.

If a display panel and a touchpad are layered to form a touchscreen, thedisplay unit 120 may be used as an input device and/or as an outputdevice. The display unit 120 may include at least one of a liquidcrystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, anorganic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, a 3D display, and anelectrophoretic display. In accordance with the form of the ultrasoundapparatus 100, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may include two or moredisplay units 120.

The user input unit 130 refers to an element which is configured forreceiving, from a user, data which is usable for controlling theultrasound apparatus 100. For example, the user input unit 130 mayinclude, but is not limited to, any one or more of a keypad, a domeswitch, a touchpad (a contact capacitance type, a pressure resistivetype, an infrared sensing type, a surface ultrasound transfer type, anintegral tension measurement type, a piezo effect type, etc.), a jogwheel, and/or a jog switch. In particular, as described above, if atouchpad and a display panel are layered, the layered touchpad and thedisplay panel may be referred to as a touchscreen.

A touchscreen may be configured to detect a proximity touch and/or areal touch. In this specification, a “real touch” refers to a case bywhich a pointer actually touches a screen, and a “proximity touch”refers to a case by which a pointer does not actually touch or makephysical contact with a screen, but approaches the screen to within apredetermined distance. In this specification, a pointer refers to atool which is configured for performing a real touch and/or a proximitytouch on a certain portion of a displayed screen. Examples of thepointer include a stylus pen and a finger.

Although not shown in FIG. 1A, in order to sense a real touch or aproximity touch on a touchscreen, various sensors may be formed insideor near the touchscreen. An example of a sensor which is configured forsensing a touch on a touchscreen may include a haptic sensor. The hapticsensor refers to a sensor which is configured for sensing a touch on acertain object to a level which is equal to or higher than acorresponding sensory level of a person. The haptic sensor may sensevarious types of information such as, for example, a roughness on acontact surface, hardness of a contact object, and/or temperature at acontact point.

Also, an example of a sensor which is configured for sensing a touch ona touchscreen may include a proximity sensor. The proximity sensorrefers to a sensor which is configured for detecting an object thatapproaches a predetermined detection surface, or detecting whether anobject exists nearby, by using a force of an electromagnetic field orinfrared light without requiring using a mechanical contact. Examples ofthe proximity sensor include a transmissive photoelectric sensor, adirect reflective photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflectivephotoelectric sensor, a high-frequency oscillation proximity sensor, acapacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and aninfrared proximity sensor.

Touch gestures of a user may include any one or more of a tap, a touchand hold, a double tap, a drag, a panning, a flick, a drag and drop, aswipe, etc.

The image processing unit 140 may be configured apply a gain which isset by a user to the ultrasound image data. In particular, the imageprocessing unit 140 may generate or change an ultrasound image which isdisplayed on a screen by applying a gain which is set by a user to theultrasound image data.

The control unit 150 may typically control overall operations of theultrasound apparatus 100. In particular, the control unit 150 maycontrol overall operations of the obtaining unit 110, the display unit120, the user input unit 130, and the image processing unit 140.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may furtherinclude a memory 160 and a communication unit 170, in addition to theobtaining unit 110, the display unit 120, the user input unit 130, andthe image processing unit 140.

The memory 160 may be configured to store programs which are configuredfor enabling the control unit 150 to process and control, and to storeinput and output data (e.g., a preset gain, an ultrasound image, testeeinformation, probe information, application information, and a bodymarker).

The memory 160 may include at least one storage medium from among aflash memory, a hard disk, a micro multimedia card, a card-type memory(e.g., a security digital (SD) or XD memory), a random access memory(RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM),an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), aprogrammable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magneticdisk, and an optical disk. Also, the ultrasound apparatus 100 mayoperate a web storage and/or a cloud server for performing the storingfunction of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may store a gain which is set on a gainsetup window, in the memory 160 (e.g., an internal storage medium or anexternal storage medium).

The communication unit 170 may include at least one element for enablingcommunications between the ultrasound apparatus 100 and an externalapparatus. For example, the communication unit 170 may include at leastone of a short distance communication module, a mobile communicationmodule, a wireless Internet module, a wired Internet module, etc.

The short distance communication module refers to a module which isconfigured for performing short distance communications. As a shortdistance communication technology, any one or more of Wireless LocalArea Network (WLAN) (e.g., Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi)), Bluetooth,Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, Near FieldCommunication (NFC), Wi-Fi Direct (WFD), Infrared Data Association(IrDA), etc. may be used.

The mobile communication module is configured to transmit and/or receivewireless signals to and from at least one of a base station, an externaldevice, and a server, on a mobile communication network. The wirelessInternet module refers to a module which is configured for establishinga wireless Internet connection and may be included in or separated fromthe ultrasound apparatus 100. The wired Internet module refers to amodule which is configured for establishing a wired Internet connection.

The communication unit 170 may be configured transmit at least onepreset gain to an external apparatus via wired and/or wirelesscommunications. The external apparatus may be, but is not limited to,any one or more of a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, atablet PC, an electric book device, a digital broadcast device, a PDA, aportable multimedia player (PMP), and a digital camera.

FIG. 1C shows the external shape of the ultrasound apparatus 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 1C, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may include thedisplay unit 120, the user input unit 130, and a probe connection unit180.

The display unit 120 may be configured to display an ultrasound image ofan object. For example, the display unit 120 may display any one or moreof a brightness mode (B mode) image, a color mode (C mode) image, aDoppler mode (D mode) image, a 2D image, and/or a 3D image.

The user input unit 130 may include a touchscreen 131 and a controlpanel 132. The touchscreen 131 may be configured to display any one ormore of an ultrasound image, a gain setup window, a list of presetgains, etc. Also, the touchscreen 131 may display a probe list whichincludes identification information which relates to probes which areconnected to the ultrasound apparatus 100, a plurality of parameterswhich are set by a user, and a list of preset items which havepreviously been set by a system or a user.

The ultrasound image which is displayed on the touchscreen 131 may alsobe displayed on the display unit 120. In this case, a user may adjustthe gain or the parameters on the touchscreen 131 while viewing changesin the ultrasound image, and may view the ultrasound image of the objectin detail on the display unit 120.

The control panel 132 may be, but is not limited to, any one or more ofa track ball and/or a hardware button, such as, for example, a modeselection button (e.g., an M, CW, PW, PD, C, 2D, 3D, or 4D mode), aprobe button, and/or a power button.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may include at least one probe connectionunit 180. The ultrasound apparatus 100 may be configured to determineidentification information which relates to a probe which is connectedto the probe connection unit 180. For example, the ultrasound apparatus100 may be configured to receive or read probe identificationinformation which has previously been stored in the probe. In thisspecification, various types of probes may be used.

A method for providing an ultrasound image and/or a gain setup windowfor setting a gain which is implementable by using the ultrasoundapparatus 100 will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart which illustrates an information providing methodwhich is executable by using an ultrasound apparatus, according to anexemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the information providing method includesoperations which are performable by using the ultrasound apparatus 100illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C. Accordingly, although notrepeatedly provided, the descriptions provided above in relation to theultrasound apparatus 100 may also be applied to the informationproviding method of FIG. 2.

In operation S210, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may obtain ultrasoundimage data which relates to an object. For example, the ultrasoundapparatus 100 may transmit ultrasonic waves to the object and maygenerate the ultrasound image data based on an ultrasound echo signalwhich is received from the object.

In operation S220, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display, on a firstarea of a screen, a gain setup window for setting a gain with respect tothe ultrasound image data. The gain may include at least one of a timegain compensation (TGC) value and a lateral gain compensation (LGC)value.

The TGC value is a value which may be used to compensate for a reductionin intensity of an ultrasound signal based on a depth in a human body.The LGC value is a value which may be used to compensate for unevenrespective differences in attenuation due to different correspondingtransmission paths of ultrasonic beams. Hereinafter, for convenience ofexplanation, the TGC value is described as an example of the gain.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may display, on the gain setup window, atleast one slide bar for setting the gain. For example, the ultrasoundapparatus 100 may align and display a plurality of slide bars on thegain setup window along a depth direction of an ultrasound image. Thedepth direction may refer to a direction in which a depth increases fromthe surface of an object to be diagnosed by using the ultrasoundapparatus 100 with respect to interior soft tissues.

The slide bar refers to a GUI which is configured for enabling a user toadjust the gain at a certain depth.

The slide bars may be aligned in parallel at equal intervals along thedepth direction.

When the ultrasound image data is obtained, if a gain which is set bythe user does not exist, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display, onthe first area, an initial gain of the object based on the depth. Inthis case, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display, on the screen, anultrasound image which is generated by applying the initial gain.

In operation S230, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may receive the gainwhich is set by the user on the gain setup window. In particular, theultrasound apparatus 100 may use the gain which is set by the user onthe gain setup window.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may sense a touch input of the user on theslide bar. The touch input may be any one or more of a drag input and/ora tap input. For example, the user may drag an adjustment button and/ortap a certain position on the slide bar.

“Drag” refers to an operation by which the user touches the screen byusing a finger or a touch tool and then moves the finger or the touchtool to another position on the screen while continuously maintainingcontact with the screen. “Tap” refers to an operation by which the usertouches the screen by using a finger or a touch tool (e.g., anelectronic pen or a stylus) and then lifts the finger or the touch toolfrom the screen without moving it with respect to the screen.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may extract a gain which corresponds to asensed position of the touch input. In particular, the ultrasoundapparatus 100 may obtain the gain which is set by the user with respectto a depth represented by the slide bar.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the ultrasound apparatus 100may sense a drag input of the user who performs the drag operation inthe depth direction on the gain setup window (i.e., a direction which isperpendicular to the slide bars). The ultrasound apparatus 100 mayextract individual gains which respectively correspond to depths of theultrasound image based on positions of the drag input (e.g., coordinatesof pixels where the drag input is sensed).

For example, if the user performs a drag operation on the gain setupwindow in a direction which is perpendicular to the slide bars along astraight line or a curved line, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may extractindividual gains which respectively correspond to dragged positions andmay set the gains with regard to the depths.

Based on the gains which are extracted based on the positions of thedrag input, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may move and display adjustmentbuttons on the slide bars.

In operation S240, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display, on a secondarea of the screen, an ultrasound image to which the gain set by theuser on the gain setup window is applicable. For example, the ultrasoundapparatus 100 may newly generate or partially change the ultrasoundimage of the object by applying the gain which is set by the user to theultrasound image data.

Accordingly, the user may adjust the gain on the gain setup window whileviewing the ultrasound image to which the adjusted gain is applied inreal time. If the user sets a high gain, the ultrasound image may becomebrighter. If the user sets a low gain, the ultrasound image may becomedarker.

A method for receiving a set TGC value which is executable by using theultrasound apparatus 100 will now be described in detail with referenceto FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

FIG. 3 is an image of a TGC setup screen 310 of the ultrasound apparatus100, according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may provide, on atouchscreen, the TGC setup button 310 which is used to be provided as aknob button. Accordingly, if a user touches the TGC setup button 310 onthe touchscreen, the ultrasound apparatus 100 enters a TGC setup modefor enabling the user to set a TGC value.

FIG. 4 is an image of a gain setup window 410 for setting a gain,according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display, on afirst area of a screen, the gain setup window 410 for setting a gain ofultrasound image data. In this case, the gain setup window 410 mayinclude a plurality of slide bars for individually setting gainsregarding a plurality of depths. The slide bars may be aligned inparallel in a depth direction.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may display an ultrasound image 420 of anobject on a second area of the screen. The ultrasound apparatus 100 maylocate the second area where the ultrasound image 420 is displayed inrelatively close proximity to the first area where the gain setup window410 is displayed, and thus may prevent distributed attention when theuser sets the TGC value.

Further, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may obtain a gain line 430 whichcorresponds to the gains which are set on the gain setup window 410, andmay display the gain line 430 on the second area. A detailed descriptionthereof will be provided below with reference to FIG. 6.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are images which illustrate a screen for receivinga gain from a user, according to exemplary embodiments.

A user may set a TGC value by touching at least one slide bar and movingan adjustment button on the slide bar, or by performing a drag operationin a direction which is perpendicular to a plurality of slide bars.

As illustrated in FIG. 5A, a user may drag an adjustment button on aslide bar in a leftward direction or a rightward direction. In thiscase, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may sense the drag input of the userand may display the adjustment button at a position where the drag ends.

If the user drags an adjustment button on a first slide bar 510 in aleftward direction, a TGC value which corresponds to a depth which isrepresented by the first slide bar 510 may be reduced. In this case, aportion of an ultrasound image which corresponds to the depthrepresented by the first slide bar 510 may be reduced in brightness andthus may be displayed relatively dark.

A user may individually adjust respective TGC values which correspond toa plurality of depths by moving adjustment buttons on a plurality ofslide bars which are allocated based on the depths.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5B and 5C, a user may simultaneously set TGCvalues which individually correspond to a plurality of depths byperforming a drag operation on a gain setup window in the form of astraight line or a curved line. In this case, the ultrasound apparatus100 may sense the drag input of the user and may move and displayadjustment buttons on a plurality of slide bars to and on positionswhere the drag input is sensed.

FIG. 6 is an image which illustrates a gain line 630 which correspondsto gains, according to an exemplary embodiment.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may obtain the gain line 630 whichcorresponds to gains which are set on a gain setup window 610, and maydisplay the gain line 630 together with an ultrasound image 620.

For example, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may obtain the gain line 630by connecting positions of adjustment buttons 611 on a plurality ofslide bars (i.e., gains represented by the adjustment buttons 611). Inthis case, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may interpolate and calculate again between a first slide bar and a second slide bar by using a gain onthe first slide bar and a gain on the second slide bar.

Further, if a user sets the gains by performing a drag operation on thegain setup window 610 in the form of a straight line or a curved line,the ultrasound apparatus 100 may obtain the gain line 630 based oncorresponding dragged positions.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may display the gain line 630 whichcorresponds to the gains which are set by the user on the gain setupwindow 610, adjacent to the ultrasound image 620 based on positions ofdepths of the ultrasound image 420, and thus may enable the user tointuitionally check, for example, a shape and/or a slope of the gainline 630.

Although FIG. 6 shows an example in which the gain line 630 is displayedon a right side of the ultrasound image 620, the gain line 630 is notlimited thereto. In particular, the gain line 630 may be displayed on abottom side, a top side, or a left side of the ultrasound image 620.

FIG. 7 is an image which illustrates a list 710 of preset gains,according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display thelist 710 of one or more preset gains on a third area of a screen. Thepreset gain(s) may be previously set by a user or a system.

The list 710 of the preset gains may be displayed as images of gainlines which respectively correspond to the preset gains. In this case,the gain line may be variously displayed, for example, in the form ofany one or more of a solid line, a dotted line, a dashed line, and/or adotted and dashed line. The preset gain may be displayed in the form ofan image which includes a plurality of slide bars.

The preset gains which are included in the list 710 may be automaticallyset by the ultrasound apparatus 100 or may be manually set by the user.

For example, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may extract and displaytypically and frequently used preset gains on the list 710, or maydisplay preset gains selected by the user on the list 710.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may extract a preset gain to be displayedon the third area of the screen based on at least one of probe setupinformation, application information, and object information. Forexample, if the user selects a 1D linear probe, the ultrasound apparatus100 may extract a preset gain which is stored and mapped to the 1Dlinear probe and may display the extracted preset gain on the list 710.Further, if the user selects obstetrics (OB) from among a plurality ofapplications, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may extract a preset gainwhich relates to the application selected by the user and may displaythe extracted preset gain on the list 710.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may further display at least one of a bodymarker, the application information, and the probe setup information onthe list 710.

The application information refers to information which relates to adiagnosis department and/or a diagnosis site for ultrasound diagnosis.The diagnosis department may include any one or more of obstetrics (OB),gynecology (GYN), pediatrics (PD), chest surgery (CS), radiology (RD),neurosurgery (NS), abdomen, etc.

The body marker refers to a figure which represents a position or anobject into which ultrasonic waves are scannable. Examples of the bodymarker may include any one or more of a liver shape, a heart shape, anda uterus shape. The probe setup information may refer to informationwhich is set in relation to a probe which is configured for outputtingan ultrasound signal. For example, when a low-frequency curved probe isused, ‘low frequency convex’ may be further displayed in addition to acorresponding preset gain. If a high-frequency linear probe is used,‘high frequency linear’ may be further displayed in addition to acorresponding preset gain.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may receive a selection of one preset gainon the list 710. The ultrasound apparatus 100 may display the selectedpreset gain on a gain setup window, and may display, on a second area ofa screen, an ultrasound image to which the selected preset gain isapplied. In this case, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may receive anadditional setup from the user in relation to the selected preset gain.In particular, the user may adjust the gain which is displayed on thegain setup window in detail by entirely or partially adjusting thedisplayed gain.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 enables the user to easily set a TGC valueby providing a few types of preset TGC values.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may provide an initialization button 720for initializing the gain which is set on the gain setup window. If atouch input on the initialization button 720 is sensed, the ultrasoundapparatus 100 may display an initial gain on the gain setup window andmay display, on the second area of the screen, an ultrasound image towhich the initial gain is applied.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart which illustrates a gain storing method which isexecutable by using the ultrasound apparatus 100, according to anexemplary embodiment.

In operation S810, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may receive, from auser, a request to store a gain which is set on a gain setup window. Theuser may transmit such a request by touching a certain icon which isdisplayed on a screen or by selecting a physical button.

In operation S820, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may store, in the memory160, the gain which is set on the gain setup window. The ultrasoundapparatus 100 may store the gain which is set on the gain setup windowby mapping the gain to at least one of probe setup information andapplication information. In addition, the ultrasound apparatus 100 maystore the gain which is set on the gain setup window by connecting thegain to at least one parameter which has previously been set in relationto an ultrasound image. A detailed description thereof will be providedbelow.

In operation S830, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display an image ofthe stored gain in a third area. For example, if the user selects a savebutton, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may store, in the memory 160, again which is currently displayed on the gain setup window, and maydisplay the gain which is currently displayed on the gain setup windowon a list of preset gains. A detailed description thereof will beprovided below with reference to FIG. 9.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are images which illustrate a GUI which isconfigured for storing a gain, according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 9A, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may output asave button 930 on a touchscreen. In this case, the ultrasound apparatus100 may sense a touch input of a user on the save button 930. In thiscase, the ultrasound apparatus 100 enters a save mode.

As illustrated in FIG. 9B, when operating in the save mode, theultrasound apparatus 100 may identifiably display an area (or a slot)for displaying a gain which is currently displayed on a gain setupwindow 910 on a list 940 of preset gains. For example, the ultrasoundapparatus 100 may display a yellow frame around buttons 941, 942, and943 for displaying images of the preset gains.

If a selection of the third button 943 is received from the user, asillustrated in FIG. 9C, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may store, in thememory 160, the gain which is currently displayed on the gain setupwindow 910, and may display, on the third button 943, an image of thegain which is currently displayed on the gain setup window 910.

Although FIG. 9C shows an example in which the image of the third button943 is changed, according to an exemplary embodiment, the ultrasoundapparatus 100 may newly generate a button for displaying the gain whichis currently displayed on the gain setup window 910 and may furtherdisplay the newly generated button next to the third button 943.

Accordingly, because the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display, on acertain button, a gain curve which corresponds to a current TGC value,the user may intuitionally check the stored TGC value (or a TGC line).

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may provide, on the touch screen, a closebutton 950 for closing a TGC setup mode. If a touch input of the user onthe close button 950 is sensed, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may closethe TGC setup mode.

According to another exemplary embodiment, if a touch input of the useris not sensed for a predetermined period of time, the ultrasoundapparatus 100 may automatically close the TGC setup mode.

FIG. 10 is an image which illustrates a gain setup window for setting anLGC value, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Although a TGC value is described above as an example of a gain, thedescriptions of the TGC value with respect to FIGS. 3 through 9 may alsobe applied to the LGC value.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may provide anLGC setup window on a touchscreen. For example, the ultrasound apparatus100 may align a plurality of slide bars for setting LGC values inparallel in the LGC setup window.

In this case, a user may individually set each respective one of the LGCvalues by adjusting each of the slide bars, or may simultaneously setthe LGC values by performing a drag operation in a direction which isperpendicular to the slide bars (a lateral direction) in the form of astraight line or a curved line.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may display, on a screen in real time, anultrasound image to which the LGC values set by the user are applied. Inaddition, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may store, in the memory 160, theLGC values which are set by the user, and may display a list of presetLGC values on the screen. A detailed description thereof is similar tothe above description of the TGC value and thus is not provided here.Although the TGC setup window and the LGC setup window are displayedseparately, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may also display the TGC setupwindow and the LGC setup window on the same screen.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart which illustrates an information providing methodwhich is executable by using the ultrasound apparatus 100, according toanother exemplary embodiment.

In operation S1110, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display, on ascreen, a list of preset gains. The list of the preset gains may bedisplayed as images of gain lines, or as numbers or text which representthe preset gains. A detailed description of the list of the preset gainsis the same as the above description in relation to FIG. 7 and thus isnot provided here.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may extract one or more preset gains fromthe memory 160 or from a personalized server (e.g., a cloud server) andmay form a list of the extracted preset gains. In particular, theultrasound apparatus 100 may obtain a list of preset gains from any oneor more of an external storage medium and/or an internal storage medium.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the ultrasound apparatus 100may receive a list of preset gains from an external apparatus via wiredand/or wireless communications.

In operation S1120, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may receive a selectionof one preset gain which is included in the list. For example, theultrasound apparatus 100 may sense a touch input (e.g., a tap gesture, aswipe gesture, or a flick gesture) or a voice command of a user inrelation to one preset gain.

In operation S1130, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may apply the selectedpreset gain to ultrasound image data of an object. The ultrasoundapparatus 100 may display, on the screen, an ultrasound image to whichthe selected preset gain is applied.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may display, on a gain setup window, thepreset gain which is selected by the user. For example, the ultrasoundapparatus 100 may move at least one slide bar which is displayed on thegain setup window, based on the selected preset gain.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may receive an additional setup from theuser in relation to the preset gain which is displayed on the gain setupwindow. For example, the user may adjust the preset gain which isdisplayed on the gain setup window in detail by adjusting the slide barwhich is displayed on the gain setup window.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may store the gain which is additionallyset by the user. In this case, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may storethe gain which is additionally set by the user in at least one of aninternal storage medium and/or an external storage medium (e.g., auniversal serial bus (USB) memory or an optical disk).

In this case, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may further display, on thelist of the preset gains, the gain which is stored in the internalstorage medium and/or the external storage medium.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may transmit the preset gain and/or thelist of the preset gains to an external apparatus via wired and/orwireless communications. The external apparatus may be, but is notlimited to, any one or more of a device of the user (e.g., a mobilephone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a tablet PC, or an electricbook device), another ultrasound apparatus, and/or a personalized server(e.g., a cloud server).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart which illustrates an information providing methodwhich is executable by using the ultrasound apparatus 100, according toanother exemplary embodiment.

In operation S1210, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may obtain ultrasoundimage data which relates to an object.

In operation S1220, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display, on a firstarea of a screen, a gain setup window for setting a gain of the obtainedultrasound image data.

In operation S1230, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display anultrasound image of the object on a second area of the screen based onthe obtained ultrasound image data.

In operation S1240, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display a list ofpreset gains on a third area of the screen. The ultrasound apparatus 100may obtain the list of the preset gains from an external storage medium.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may receive a selection of one preset gainfrom among the preset gains included in the list. The ultrasoundapparatus 100 may display the selected preset gain on the gain setupwindow, and may display, on the second area of the screen, an ultrasoundimage to which the selected preset gain is applied.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, the ultrasound apparatus 100 maydisplay the gain setup window 910, an ultrasound image 920, and the list940 of the preset gains on one screen. In this case, a user may set aTGC value and/or an LGC value by directly adjusting slide bars which aredisplayed on the gain setup window 910, or may select one preset gain(e.g., item 943 of FIG. 9B) from among the preset gains which aredisplayed on the list 940.

If the user selects one preset gain (e.g., item 943) from among thepreset gains which are displayed on the list 940, the ultrasoundapparatus 100 may display the selected preset gain (e.g., item 943) onthe gain setup window 910. The ultrasound apparatus 100 may receive anadditional setup from the user in relation to the preset gain which isdisplayed on the gain setup window 910. The ultrasound apparatus 100 maystore, in the memory 160 and/or in an external storage medium, the gainwhich is additionally set on the gain setup window 910, and may displayan image of the stored gain on the list 940 of the preset gains.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may display at least one parameter which ismapped to the selected preset gain (e.g., item 943). According toanother exemplary embodiment, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may determineat least one parameter which is mapped to the selected preset gain(e.g., item 943) and may apply the determined parameter to a system. Inparticular, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may change the setup of anultrasound system based on at least one parameter which is mapped to theselected preset gain (e.g., item 943). A detailed description thereofwill be provided below with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17.

FIG. 13 is a table which shows setup parameters which relate to anultrasound image, according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the setup parameters which relate to theultrasound image may include at least one of frequency 1305, dynamicrange 1310, frame average 1315, reject level 1320, gray map 1325,spatial compound 1330, dynamic magnetic resonance (DMR+) 1335, harmonic1340, scan area 1345, edge enhance 1350, speed 1355, power 1360, linedensity 1365, full spectrum image (FSI) 1370, focus number 1375, gain1380, and depth 1385.

The frequency 1305 refers to a parameter which relates to changing atransmission or reception frequency which is applied to a probe. Forexample, a user may set the frequency 1305 by selecting one of Pen, Gen,and Res.

The dynamic range 1310 is a parameter which relates to adjustingbrightness by changing a ratio of a minimum value and a maximum value ofan input signal. For example, the user may set the dynamic range 1310 byselecting a value between 50 and 200.

The frame average 1315 is a parameter which relates to reducing randomnoise of the ultrasound image. For example, the user may set the frameaverage 1315 by selecting a value between 0 and 15.

The reject level 1320 is a parameter which relates to reducing noise ofthe ultrasound image. For example, the user may set the reject level1320 by selecting a value between 1 and 32.

The gray map 1325 is a parameter which relates to determining a grayscale by changing a post curve of the ultrasound image. For example, theuser may set the gray map 1325 by selecting a value between 1 and 13. Adetailed description thereof will be provided below with reference toFIG. 16.

The spatial compound 1330 is a parameter which relates to adjusting adensity of the ultrasound image. For example, the user may set thespatial compound 1330 by selecting one of low, medium, and high.

The DMR+ 1335 is a parameter which relates to post-processing of theultrasound image and is a parameter which relates to reducing noise andenhancing edges. For example, the user may set the DMR+ 1335 byselecting a value between 1 and 5.

The harmonic 1340 is a parameter which relates to optimizing theultrasound image by using a high frequency. For example, the user mayset the harmonic 1340 by selecting one of on and off.

The scan area 1345 is a parameter which relates to adjusting ahorizontal width (%) of the ultrasound image. For example, the user mayset the scan area 1345 by selecting a value between 40 and 100.

The edge enhance 1350 is a parameter which relates to sharpening edgesof images of tissues or organs. For example, the user may set the edgeenhance 1350 by selecting a value between −3 and 3.

The speed 1355 is a parameter which relates to increasing a resolutionby adjusting a speed of tissues. For example, the user may set the speed1355 by selecting a value between 1440 and 1620 m/s.

The power 1360 is a parameter which relates to selecting an intensity ofan ultrasonic output. For example, the user may set the power 1360 byselecting a value between 10 and 100.

The line density 1365 is a parameter which relates to adjusting adensity of the ultrasound image. For example, the user may set the linedensity 1365 by selecting one of low, mid1, mid2, and high.

The FSI 1370 is a parameter which relates to adjusting a ratio of mixingfrequencies. For example, the user may set the FSI 1370 by selecting avalue between 1 and 3.

The focus number 1375 is a parameter which relates to setting positionsand a number of focuses. For example, the user may set the focus number1375 by selecting a value between 1 and 4.

The gain 1380 is a parameter which relates to adjusting a brightness ofthe ultrasound image. For example, the user may set the gain 1380 byselecting a value between 1 and 100.

The depth 1385 is a parameter which relates to adjusting a depth of theultrasound image to be scanned. The depth 1385 may vary based on thetype of a probe which is used with respect to the image. For example,with respect to a convex probe, the user may set the depth 1385 byselecting a value between 6 and 30 cm.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are images which illustrate a GUI which is configuredfor setting parameters which relate to an ultrasound image, according toan exemplary embodiment.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may provide a setup window 1400 which isconfigured for enabling a user to individually set the parameters whichrelate to the ultrasound image.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14A, the ultrasound apparatus 100may provide, on a screen, the setup window 1400 for setting parameterssuch as the frequency 1305, the dynamic range 1310, the frame average1315, the reject level 1320, the gray map 1325, the DMR+ 1335, theharmonic 1340, the speed 1355, and the FSI 1370.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 14B, the ultrasound apparatus 100 mayprovide the setup window 1400 for setting parameters such as the scanarea 1345, the edge enhance 1350, the power 1360, and the line density1365.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may sense a parameter which is input (orselected) by a user on the setup window 1400. The ultrasound apparatus100 may store the input (or selected) parameter in response to a requestof the user to store the parameter. A detailed description thereof willbe provided below with reference to FIG. 15.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D are images which illustrate a GUI which isconfigured for enabling a user to store at least one preset parameter,according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B, if a user touches a certainicon on the touchscreen 131 or selects a certain button on the controlpanel 132, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may provide a GUI 1500 forstoring a parameter which is set by the user.

For example, if a selection of a probe button 1510 by the user issensed, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may provide, on the touchscreen131, the GUI 1500 for adjusting a gain or at least one parameter whichrelates to an ultrasound image.

As illustrated in FIG. 15B, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display, ona predetermined area of the GUI 1500, a probe list 1520 which includesidentification information which relates to one or more probes which areconnected to the ultrasound apparatus 100. For example, if a probe 1C2-8, a probe 2 L5-13, and a probe 3 VE4-8 are connected to theultrasound apparatus 100, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may displayidentification information which relates to each of the probe 1 C2-8,the probe 2 L5-13, and the probe 3 VE4-8 on the probe list 1520.Identification information which relates to a probe is information whichmay be used for identifying the probe and may include, for example, anyone or more of a probe image, a probe name, and a probe type.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may sense a selection of at least one probefrom the probe list 1520 by the user. For example, the user may selectthe probe 3 VE4-8 from the probe list 1520.

In addition, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display a list 1530 ofapplications (e.g., diagnosis departments) on the predetermined area ofthe GUI 1500 and may receive a selection of an application from the list1530 by the user. For example, the user may select “Abdomen” from thelist 1530 of the applications.

In this case, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display a list of presetswhich correspond to the probe 3 VE4-8 which is selected by the user.Further, according to another exemplary embodiment, the ultrasoundapparatus 100 may display a list of presets which correspond to theprobe 3 VE4-8 and the application (e.g., “Abdomen”) which are selectedby the user. In this case, the list of the presets may include systempresets which include parameters which are previously set by a systemand are unchangeable, and user presets which include parameters whichare arbitrarily set by the user.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may provide, on the GUI 1500, a defaultarea 1540 for displaying the system presets which are mapped to theparameters which are previously set by the system and are unchangeable,and an arbitrary area 1550 for displaying the user presets which aremapped to the parameters which are arbitrarily set by the user.

If the user selects one preset item (e.g., “fetal heart”) from the listof the presets which respectively correspond to at least one of theprobe and the application and then touches a predetermined button 1560,the ultrasound apparatus 100 may provide preset parameters whichcorrespond to the selected preset item (i.e., “fetal heart”).

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 15C, the ultrasound apparatus 100may display preset parameters which respectively correspond to each ofthe frequency 1305, the frame average 1315, the gray map 1325, theharmonic 1340, the line density 1365, and the focus number 1375 whichare mapped to the selected preset item (i.e., “fetal heart”). In thiscase, the user may generate a new user preset by changing the parameterswhich are displayed on a screen. The newly generated user preset may bedisplayed on the arbitrary area 1550. In this case, the user may set aname of the newly generated user preset.

For example, a first user may generate a user preset named ‘user1’ andmay store a plurality of parameters which are set by the first user bymapping the parameters to ‘user1’. In addition, a second user may storea plurality of parameters which are set by the second user by mappingthese parameters to a user preset named ‘user2’. If a third user setsparameters in relation to a face of a fetus (i.e., a different selectedpreset item), the third user may store the parameters which are set inrelation to the face of the fetus by mapping these parameters to a userpreset named ‘Face’.

Further, the user may set a gain and may generate a new user preset byadding the set gain. For example, if the user touches a TGC button onthe screen, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may provide a setup window forsetting the gain (e.g., a TGC value).

As illustrated in FIG. 15D, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may provide again setup window and may receive a gain which is set by the user on thegain setup window. A method thereof is described in detail above andthus is not described here.

If the ultrasound apparatus 100 receives, from the user, a request tostore the set gain, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may generate a userpreset which includes the set gain. In this case, the gain which is setby the user may be mapped to at least one of a probe (e.g., the probe 3)and application information (e.g., Abdomen) which are selected by theuser and may be stored as a user preset. The gain which is set by theuser may be stored as a user preset in the arbitrary area 1560 togetherwith preset parameters. Accordingly, the ultrasound apparatus 100enables the user to make a frequently-used TGC line for each probe andto store the TGC line as a user preset. For example, the user may storea TGC line which is frequently used for a carotid ultrasound image bymapping this TGC line to a probe which is used for generating thecarotid ultrasound image. In this case, the ultrasound apparatus 100 maygenerate a preset mapping table which includes the identificationinformation which relates to the probes, the parameters which relate tothe ultrasound image, and the gains, which are mapped to each other, andmay store the preset mapping table in the memory 160.

Although FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D show an example when a probe andan application are selected first and then a parameter is adjusted or aTGC value is set, according to an exemplary embodiment, the parameter orthe TGC value may be set first and then the probe or the application maybe selected and connected to the set parameter or the TGC value.

A method for automatically extracting a gain which is stored and mappedto a probe and applying the gain to a system by the ultrasound apparatus100 will now be described.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart which illustrates an information providing methodwhich is executable by using the ultrasound apparatus 100 based onidentification information of a probe, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

In operation S1610, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may determineidentification information which relates to a probe which is connectedto the ultrasound apparatus 100. For example, the ultrasound apparatus100 may determine identification information which relates to a probewhich is connected to the ultrasound apparatus 100, for example, a probeimage, a probe name, and a probe type, by receiving the identificationinformation which relates to the connected probe which is stored in thememory 160.

If a plurality of probes are connected to the ultrasound apparatus 100,the ultrasound apparatus 100 may determine identification informationwhich relates to each of the probes and may display a probe list whichincludes the identification information which relates to each of theprobes.

In operation S1620, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may extract a presetgain which corresponds to the identification information which relatesto the probe. For example, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may extract,from a preset mapping table, a preset gain which is mapped to theidentification information which relates the probe based on theidentification information which relates to the probe.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may receive a selection of identificationinformation which relates to one probe on the probe list, which probelist includes the identification information which relates to each ofthe probes which are connected to the ultrasound apparatus 100. In thiscase, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may extract a preset gain whichcorresponds to the identification information which relates to theselected probe.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may extract a plurality of preset gainswhich correspond to the identification information which relates to theprobe. In this case, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display a list ofthe preset gains on a screen. In this case, the ultrasound apparatus 100may receive a selection of one preset gain from the list of the presetgains.

The preset gains which correspond to the identification informationwhich relates to the probe may be individually included in a pluralityof user presets. In particular, a preset gain may be stored as a userpreset together with other parameters. In this case, the ultrasoundapparatus 100 may display a list of user presets which correspond to theidentification information which relates to the probe and may receive aselection of one user preset from the list of the user presets.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may receive application information whichrepresents a diagnosis department. For example, the applicationinformation may include, is not limited to, obstetrics (OB), gynecology(GYN), pediatrics (PD), chest surgery (CS), radiology (RD), neurosurgery(NS), abdomen, etc.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may extract a preset gain which correspondsto the identification information which relates to the probe and theapplication information which are selected by a user.

In operation S1630, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may apply the presetgain to ultrasound image data.

For example, if the ultrasound apparatus 100 obtains ultrasound imagedata which relates to an object by using a probe which is selected bythe user, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may apply a preset gain whichcorresponds to the probe selected by the user to the ultrasound imagedata. In particular, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may automaticallyextract a gain which is stored and mapped to a probe and may apply theextracted gain to a system.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may display, on a predetermined area of thescreen, the preset gain which corresponds to the identificationinformation which relates to the probe which is connected to theultrasound apparatus 100.

If a plurality of probes are connected to the ultrasound apparatus 100,the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display, on the screen, the preset gainwhich corresponds to the identification information which relates to theprobe which is selected by the user from among the probes. In this case,the ultrasound apparatus 100 may receive an additional setup from theuser in relation to the preset gain which is displayed on the screen. Inparticular, the user may determine the preset gain which is mapped tothe selected probe and may adjust the preset gain in detail.

A case in which a gain and various parameters are stored as a userpreset which corresponds to identification information which relates toa probe will now be described with reference to FIGS. 17A, 17B, 18A, and18B.

FIGS. 17A and 17B and 18A and 18B are images which show a parameter anda gain which correspond to a user preset which is selected by a user,according to an exemplary embodiment.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may display a preset list which correspondsto identification information which relates to a selected probe andapplication information. In this case, the preset list may include atleast one user preset which includes at least one parameter and a gainwhich have previously been set in relation to an ultrasound image. Asillustrated in FIG. 17A, if a user selects ‘user1’ from the preset list,the ultrasound apparatus 100 may apply preset parameters and a gainwhich are mapped to ‘user1’ to a system, or may display these presetparameters and gain on a screen.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 17B, the ultrasound apparatus 100may display parameters (for example, DMR+: on, Frequency: Res, DynamicRange: 117, Frame Average: 5, Reject Level: 1, Gray Map: 9, LineDensity: Med, Power: 96, Scan Area: 100, and Focus Number: 1) and a TGCline which are mapped to ‘user1’.

As illustrated in FIG. 18A, if a user selects ‘user2’ from the presetlist, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may apply preset parameters and again which are mapped to ‘user2’ to a system, or may display thesepreset parameters and gain on a screen.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 18B, the ultrasound apparatus 100may display parameters (for example, DMR+: on, Frequency: Pen, DynamicRange: 120, Frame Average: 10, Reject Level: 2, Gray Map: 10, ChromaMap: 3, Power: 80, and Scan Area: 100) and a TGC line which are mappedto ‘user2’.

In this case, the user may edit (for example, delete, add, and/orchange) the parameters and the TGC line which are included in the userpreset. In addition, the user may change a name of the user preset. Forexample, the user may change ‘user1’ into ‘face’.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may display a detailed list which relatesto at least one parameter from among the parameters which havepreviously been set in relation to the ultrasound image. For example,the ultrasound apparatus 100 may provide a list of gray maps which listis usable for determining a gray scale or a list of curves which list isusable for selecting a predetermined area of 3D volume data. A detaileddescription thereof will be provided below with reference to FIGS. 19A,19B, 20A, and 20B.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are images which illustrate a list of preset graymaps, according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 19A, a user may adjust a shape of a gray map 1900which is usable for determining a gray scale. For example, the user mayvariously set the shape of the gray map 1900 in the form of any one ormore of a straight line, a parabola, and/or an S-shaved curve. If theuser requests, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may store a gray map whichis set by the user. The gray map may include a 2D image gray map and/ora 3D image gray map.

As illustrated in FIG. 19B, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display alist of preset gray maps on a screen. The list of the preset gray mapsmay be displayed in the form of images of lines, numbers, and/or text.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may extract one or more preset gray mapsfrom the memory 160 or a personalized server (e.g., a cloud server), andmay form a list of the extracted preset gray maps. In particular, theultrasound apparatus 100 may obtain a list of preset gray maps from anexternal storage medium or an internal storage medium.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the ultrasound apparatus 100may receive a list of preset gray maps from an external apparatus viawired and/or wireless communications.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may receive a selection of one preset graymap from the list of the preset gray maps. For example, the ultrasoundapparatus 100 may sense a touch input (e.g., a tap gesture, a swipegesture, or a flick gesture) or a voice command of a user in relation toone preset gray map. In this case, the ultrasound apparatus 100 mayapply the selected preset gray map to ultrasound image data whichrelates to an object.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may display the selected gray map on thescreen and may receive an additional setup from the user in relation tothe selected gray map. In particular, the user may adjust the selectedgray map in detail.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are images which illustrate a list of preset curves,according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 20A, a user may adjust a shape of a curve 2000which is usable for selecting a predetermined area of 3D volume data.The curve 2000 may have any one or more of various shapes. If the userrequests, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may store a curve which is set bythe user.

As illustrated in FIG. 20B, the ultrasound apparatus 100 may display alist of preset curves on a screen. The list of the preset curves may bedisplayed as images. The ultrasound apparatus 100 may extract one ormore preset curves from the memory 160 or a personalized server (e.g., acloud server), and may form a list of the extracted preset curves.According to another exemplary embodiment, the ultrasound apparatus 100may receive a list of preset curves from an external apparatus via wiredand/or wireless communications.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may further display, for example, anapplication type (e.g., OB) and a body marker (e.g., a face of a fetus)which relate to a curve on the list of the preset curves.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may receive a selection of one curve fromthe list of the preset curves. In this case, the ultrasound apparatus100 may apply the selected curve to ultrasound image data which relatesto an object.

The ultrasound apparatus 100 may provide a list of various parameterswhich relate to an ultrasound image in addition to a gain (e.g., a TGCvalue or an LGC value), and thus may enable a user to easily set theparameters which relate to the ultrasound image.

One or more of the above-described exemplary embodiments may beimplemented with at least one processor and includes a transitory and/ornon-transitory computer readable medium including program instructionsfor executing various operations realized by a computer. The computerreadable medium may include program instructions, a data file, and adata structure, separately or cooperatively. The program instructionsand the media may be those specially designed and constructed for thepurposes of one or more of the exemplary embodiments, or they may be ofthe kind well known and available to one of ordinary skill in the art ofcomputer software arts. Examples of the computer readable media includemagnetic media (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes),optical media (e.g., CD-ROMs or DVD), magneto-optical media (e.g.,floptical disks), and hardware devices (e.g., ROMs, RAMs, or flashmemories, etc.) that are specially configured to store and performprogram instructions. The media may also be transmission media, such as,for example, optical or metallic lines, wave guides, etc. which specifythe program instructions, data structures, etc. Examples of the programinstructions include both machine code, such as produced by a compiler,and files which contain codes which relate to high-level languages thatmay be executed by the computer using an interpreter.

While the present inventive concept has been particularly shown anddescribed with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes inform and details may be made therein without departing from the spiritand scope of the present inventive concept as defined by the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ultrasound apparatus comprising: a touchscreen; at least one memory storing instructions; and at least oneprocessor that executes the instructions to cause the ultrasoundapparatus to: display, in a first area of the touch screen, a gain setupwindow including adjustment elements which are slidable to set gainvalues of the ultrasound apparatus, display, in a second area of thetouch screen concurrently with the display of the gain setup window inthe first area, an item which is selectable to select a preset gain, theitem including a graphical image displayed on the item and which isindicative of gain values of the preset gain, and in accordance with theitem being selected, display, in the gain setup window, the adjustmentelements at positions to which the adjustment elements were slid to setthe pain values of the preset gain, obtain an ultrasound image of anobject by applying the preset gain to at least one ultrasound echosignal reflected from the object and detected by a probe, and displaythe obtained ultrasound image, wherein, while the item is displayed inthe second area, and before the item is selected, the adjustmentelements are slidable to set gain values of the ultrasound apparatus. 2.The ultrasound apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gain values are gainvalues for time gain compensation (TGC).
 3. The ultrasound apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the at least one processor executes the instructions tofurther cause the ultrasound apparatus to: generate a gain line thatcorresponds to at least two of the gain values of the preset gain, anddisplay the generated gain line.
 4. The ultrasound apparatus claim 1,wherein the at least one processor executes the instructions to furthercause the ultrasound apparatus to, in response to the item beingselected, display, on the touch screen, a preset gain value setcorresponding to the preset gain.
 5. The ultrasound apparatus of claim4, wherein the at least one processor executes the instructions tofurther cause the ultrasound apparatus to: receive a user input whichrelates to modifying at least one gain value from among gain valuesincluded in the preset gain value set, modify the at least one gainvalue to obtain a new gain value set based on the received user input,and store the new gain value set in the at least one memory in responseto a user request.
 6. The ultrasound apparatus of claim 5, wherein theat least one processor executes the instructions to further cause theultrasound apparatus to: generate a new item which relates to readingthe new gain value set from the at least one memory, and control thetouch screen to display the generated new item, wherein the displayednew item is selectable to select the new gain value set as a presetgain.
 7. The ultrasound apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least oneprocessor executes the instructions to further cause the ultrasoundapparatus to: display, on the touch screen, a save element which isoperable to save the item so as to be selectable to select the presetgain of gain values set by the at least one user input sliding theadjustment elements.
 8. The ultrasound apparatus of claim 1, wherein theat least one processor executes the instructions to further cause theultrasound apparatus to: display, on the touch screen, an additionalitem that is selectable to initialize gain values, so that, when theadditional item is selected, the ultrasound apparatus initializespositions of the adjustment elements.
 9. The ultrasound apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the at least one processor executes the instructions tofurther cause the ultrasound apparatus to: receive, via the touchscreen, a first user input for modifying the initialized gain values bysliding the adjustment elements, receive, via the touch screen, a seconduser input for storing the modified gain values, and display aselectable item including a graphical image indicative of the modifiedgain values.
 10. A method performed by an ultrasound apparatus whichincludes a touch screen, the method comprising: displaying, in a firstarea of the touch screen, a gain setup window including adjustmentelements which are slidable to set gain values of the ultrasoundapparatus; displaying, in a second area of the touch screen concurrentlywith the display of the gain setup window in the first area, an itemwhich is selectable to select a preset gain, the item including agraphical image displayed on the item and which is indicative of gainvalues of the preset gain, and in accordance with the item beingselected, displaying, in the gain setup window, the adjustment elementsat positions to which the adjustment elements were slid to set the gainvalues of the preset gain, obtaining an ultrasound image of an object byapplying the preset gain to at least one ultrasound echo signalreflected from the object and detected by a probe, and displaying theobtained ultrasound image, wherein, while the item is displayed in thesecond area, and before the item is selected, the adjustment elementsare slidable to set gain values of the ultrasound apparatus.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the gain values are gain values for timegain compensation (TGC).
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:generating a gain line that corresponds to at least two of the gainvalues of the preset gain; and displaying the generated gain line. 13.The method of claim 10, further comprising: obtaining a thumb-nail imagethat corresponds to the gain setup window on which a gain value set isdisplayed; and generating a selectable item by using the obtainedthumb-nail image.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the generating theselectable item by using the obtained thumb-nail image comprisesadjusting a size of the obtained thumb-nail image based on a size of thesecond area of the touch screen.
 15. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising: displaying, on the touch screen, a preset gain value setcorresponding to the preset gain.
 16. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising: displaying, on the touch screen, a save element which isoperable to save the item so as to be selectable to select the presetgain of gain values set by the at least one user input sliding theadjustment elements.
 17. The method of claim 10, further comprising:displaying, on the touch screen, an additional item that is selectableto initialize the preset gain, so that, when the additional item isselected, the ultrasound apparatus performs the obtaining the ultrasoundimage and the displaying the obtained ultrasound image.
 18. Anultrasound apparatus comprising: a touch screen; at least one memorystoring instructions; and at least one processor that executes theinstructions to cause the ultrasound apparatus to: display a gain setupwindow including adjustment elements which are slidable to set gainvalues of the ultrasound apparatus, display, on the touch screenconcurrently with the display of the gain setup window, a plurality ofitems including a first item which is selectable by a user of theultrasound apparatus to cause the ultrasound apparatus to save gainvalues set by sliding the adjustment elements, as a preset gain, asecond item including a displayed graphical image displayed on thesecond item and that is indicative of the saved gain values, the seconditem being selectable to cause the ultrasound apparatus to select thepreset gain, and a third item which is selectable to cause theultrasound apparatus to initialize positions of the adjustment elementsincluded in the gain setup window, wherein, after the first item isselected and before the second item is selected, the adjustment elementsare slidable to set gain values of the ultrasound apparatus, and theselection of the second item further causes the ultrasound apparatus todisplay, in the gain setup window, the adjustment elements at positionsto which the adjustment elements were slid to set the gain values thatwere saved as the preset gain.